How to Find Old 401(k) Accounts

Don't leave your 401(k) behind. Here's how to reclaim your hard-earned retirement savings.

By Kailey Hagen – Updated Apr 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM

Key Points

Contact your past employers to track down information about your old 401(k)s.
Use the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits to find unclaimed 401(k)s with your Social Security number.
After finding your old 401(k), you must decide whether to keep it where it is or roll it over to a new account.

Switching jobs pulls your mind in several directions at once, and it's easy for your old 401(k) to get lost in the shuffle. But you can't afford to forget about it for good. Building a nest egg to sustain you for decades is tough, so you don't want to leave any old retirement accounts behind. If you've lost track of your old 401(k), take these steps to find it and put that money to good use.

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An infographic outlining 3 options for what to do with an old 401(k) account. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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About the Author

Kailey Hagen, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool retirement analyst covering Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning. Before The Motley Fool, Kailey was a research analyst for Reviews.com focusing on credit and banking products. She is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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